A song in memory of heroic Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams is to be released ahead of the landmark 25th anniversary of the disaster.

‘The Angel’ was initially written and performed by Kirkdale singer-songwriter Dominic Dunn at a charity event last September held in honour of Formby mum Anne, who died from cancer five months earlier after being a shining light for over two decades in the battle to uncover the truth about how her son Kevin along with 95 other Liverpool supporters died in Britain’s worst sporting disaster .

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from Anne’s family and friends, 16-year-old Dominic recorded the track at Liverpool’s world-famous Parr Street Studios just before Christmas.

“Anne’s family told me they really liked it so as long as they're satisfied that's all that matters to me.

“I'm so proud to have been asked to do it and am just made up to be associated with such an inspirational and respected figure within the city.”

Anne’s brother Danny said, “The family consider it an honour to have Dominic write, play and record this for us. He's such a talented young lad and we're sure he's going to go a long way in the future.

Anne Williams with brother Danny Gordon

“When I first heard the song at the fundraiser I was unable to speak for a while afterwards. It got to us all. It was very moving and a very apt song for how we were feeling at the time, and still do, about our Anne, who we all miss so much.”

Anne’s daughter Sara, added, “The words Dominic wrote really sum up mum's spirit and her attitude in fighting so long for Kevin, the 96 and the survivors.

“Dominic clearly did his homework and he got it just right. It works beautifully with the music that he wrote and is such a lovely tribute.”

The idea to release the song came about after Jason Morland, one of the organisers of the Scouse Reds v Norwegian Wools football match that has twice been played to raise money for Anne’s For Justice charity in recent years, was inundated by pleas to make it happen from people who had heard the song at the fundraising event which followed last September’s game at the Liverpool County FA.

Jason said, “I used to go to school with Dom's mum and knew about his growing reputation so I asked her if he'd be available to play at our charity night.

“I was aware that he was in the middle of his exams so didn't want to put too much pressure on him but right away he said he'd try his best.

“It wasn't until the night itself that I knew for sure whether he'd manage to do it but, as anyone who was there will tell you, he came out with this performance that just blew everyone away.

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“The room fell silent as soon as he started playing and you could have heard a pin drop. It was phenomenal but only what I expected really from Dom because he's that kind of lad.

“After the performance quite a few people approached me and Phil Belger, who also helped organised the event, saying we had to do something with the song as it was so special.

“People wanted it out there so they could buy it and listen to it. To be honest me and Phil didn't have a clue where to start so we got our thinking caps on as to who might be able to help us.

“The first person we thought of was Paul Manning, and right away as soon as we approached him he said he'd take it on.”

Paul, who founded Anfield FM, an internet radio station that broadcasts music and LFC-related chat shows to over 10,000 listeners in 137 countries around the world, said, “I firmly believe that without Anne Williams we would not now have the truth about Hillsborough.

“As soon as I heard about this song I knew it was something that needed to happen so I basically just starting badgering people.

“Stuart Fitzgerald who owns the Liverpool One Bridewell got the Lord Mayor Gary Millar involved and within ten minutes we were told Parr Street Studios would let us record there for free.

“Dominic then made the magnificent gesture of offering to transfer over all ownership of the song, the lyrics, music etc to Anne’s charity. We managed to find a lawyer, Francis McEntegart, who draw up the documents for us and Dominic signed it all over after doing the recording at Parr Street so now all the proceeds, every single penny, will go directly to For Justice, and what a great credit that is to Dominic.”

Dominic Dunn recording The Angel at Parr Street Studios

Ian Barnes, trustee of For Justice, said, “The mission statement of Anne’s charity is to raise awareness of Hillsborough and the fight for justice. We also reach out to survivors who are often the forgotten victims and need to be supported.

“What Dom's done will go towards helping those that need it.

“If you listen to the lyrics of the song, every single word reflects what Anne was all about. Every time I hear it I get a lump in my throat. The kid's done really well. I just hope he gets the credit he deserves for doing this”.

Paul continued, “The initial plan is to have the record as an online release, downloadable via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and all the major sites, in the run-up to the new inquests and the 25th anniversary. We might do a limited run of it on CD as well depending on what the feeling is regarding the song.

“It would be a fitting tribute to Anne and the 96 if we could get it to number one. I realise that's a massive ask but we think it deserves to get there. Whether that's possible who knows but we're going to have a go.

“If we were able to pull it off, it would be a fantastic way of raising the profile of Hillsborough and reminding everyone how ordinary people like Anne took on the might of the establishment and won.

Anne Williams

“We can all make a difference and this would be a fitting way of marking the 25th anniversary, as well as a year since Anne's passing which will fall a few days afterwards.

“The Justice Collective record did brilliantly at raising awareness but I think it's just as important as something like this happens in terms of Anne.

“Her contribution to the cause was immense and must never be forgotten. It's such a shame and so sad that Anne's not going to be here to have the justice that Kevin, and she herself, deserved.

“If this can play a small part in redressing that, we would all be so proud and that's why everyone has given their time to try and make this happen.

“We really hope the city of Liverpool rally round this song and get it to where it needs to be for Anne's memory.”